Polyplectropus corniculatus, Chamorro & Holzenthal, 2010

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 87-89

Polyplectropus corniculatus , new species

Figs. 42, 132

This species is unique among other species in the genus in having a pair of dorsal lanceolate projections on the posterior margin of tergum VIII. Other distinguishing features include a slightly sculptured apex of the intermediate appendage and a downturned apex of the phallus. Polyplectropus corniculatus superficially resembles P. colombianus , new species. Both species have an elongate dorsolateral process of the preanal appendage and oblong and elongate intermediate appendage bearing few apical setae. Polyplectropus corniculatus also resembles P.petrae in the highly concave posterior margin of sternum IX.

Adult. Length of forewing 4–5 mm, n = 9. Color of head, thorax, and legs brown; setae on body brown with clusters of grey setae on apex of head; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings brown with scattered patches of golden setae.

Male genitalia. Posterodorsal margin of tergite VIII modified, bearing paired, dorsal lanceolate projections, directed posterad. Sternum IX in lateral view deltoid, anterior margin entire, posterior margin medially produced; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin entire, posterior margin concave and with median flange. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, oblong, with long basal setae and few scattered subapically; in dorsal view clavate, subapically broad, apically with scale-like surface; in caudal view digitate, dorsolateral lobe produced medially into digitate, curved digitate lobe, directed posteromesad, apparently fused basoventrally to mesoventral process of preanal appendage. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process elongate, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, directed anterad, recurved posterad, tapering mesally into acute apex, subapically expanded; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view oblong, in lateral view orbicular; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view rounded, mesoventral process fused to intermediate appendage, directed ventrad, ventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view fused basomesally, apex of processes separated, ventral margin of process angled, bearing sclerotized spines. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate not extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view clavate, bearing several apical, sclerotized spines; in ventral view narrow, broadening apically, lateral margin apically produced, posterior margin angled, mesal margin undulate, angled, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, elongate, bearing robust, sclerotized spines along entire dorsal surface; in lateral view lanceolate, medially produced laterad; in ventral view deltoid to quadrate, mesal margin slightly concave, gradually converging mesally. Phallus short; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex oblong and directed ventrad; endothecal membrane without embedded spines.

Holotype male. PERU: Madre de Dios: Manú [Biosphere Reserve], Pakitza Bio [logical] Sta [tion], Quebrada Paujil-Picoflor , 11°56'39"S, 71°16'59"W, 350 m, 5.vii.1993, Blahnik & Pescador — ( UMSP000107443 ) ( NMNH).

Paratypes. PERU: Madre de Dios: Manú [Biosphere Reserve], Pakitza Bio [logical] Sta [tion], Quebrada Paujil-Picoflor , 11°56'39"S, 71°16'59"W, 350 m, 5.vii.1993, Blahnik & Pescador — 1 male, 7 females ( UMSP, NMNH) .

Distribution. Peru.

Etymology. “Corniculatus” is the Latin word for “horned”, in reference to the narrow, paired processes arising from the posterior edge of tergum VIII.